achieving happiness

2:44:48

2018-04-10

987

If one were to closely observe their life and the lives of those around them, they would surely notice something very significant. Every individual in this universe seeks and works tiredly to achieve an aspect that may already to be present in their daily lives if only they took the time to realize it. Achieving happiness is everyone’s goal subconsciously or consciously, we humans are always striving to reach this illusion of happiness. Everyone has their own definition for happiness, some might say that their happiness is achieved through buying a house, or traveling or getting married, but is that really happiness.

One of the common reasons we find it so difficult to find happiness is due to our perception of what it really is. Our ability to be happy depends on how we define it.

For many, happiness is defined by what has been achieved, what has been accomplished, or material things we have obtained.

While these things can contribute to the feeling of being happy, do they really bring us true happiness?

What does Imam Ali (AS) say about happiness?

Nine rules for happiness by the Commander of the Faithful Ali :

FIRST: Rely on Allah when pleased and when grieved.

SECOND: Fear Allah when you are alone, when travelling and when at home.

THIRD: Do not coerce anyone, no matter how much he wrongs you.

FOURTH: Do not worry, no matter how high your concerns may pile up.

FIFTH: Live simply no matter how high your prestige may be.

SIXTH: Anticipate goodness no matter how serious the affliction may be.

SEVENTH: Give a lot though you may be deprived even of a little.

EIGHTH: Smile even if your heart may be bleeding.

NINTH: Do not stop supplicating for your Muslim brother when he is absent.

Through Imam Ali’s eloquent words one can slightly change their viewpoint about happiness. Allah has given us humans free will, and a mind to make decisions, anyone can be happy if they tried and worked hard enough.

Financial stability as well as other materialistic matters do play a role in one’s happiness, even though its importance is extremely low compared to other factors of happiness.

An individual with a correct set of beliefs and values will surely have a higher sense of happiness than those who live life freely without any beliefs and rules to regulate their lives. In the Holy Quran Allah (SWT) says:

"Those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah - Islamic Monotheism), and work righteousness, Tuba (it means all kinds of happiness or name of a tree in Paradise) is for them and a beautiful place of (final) return."

Most factors of happiness, like ethical and religious virtues are at all people’s disposal, but we must not forget that there is a special emphasis in the words of Imam Ali (a) on the unseen factor of tawfiq (i.e. divine help for success), he says: "Tawfiq leads to goodness and is the most important factor of happiness.”

With this we pray that Allah grants us true happiness, in this life and in the hereafter.